LONG BEACH >> The Belmont Plaza Pool is another step closer to demolition.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted 9-0 to approve a $206,400 increase on a contract with Psomas Corp. for construction management and inspection services for the demolition project that officials expect to begin in late September. The pool was closed in January 2013 after seismic deficiencies in the structure were found.

The total cost of demolishing the pool, the site of the 1968 and 1976 U.S. Olympic trials, is now more than $3.1 million because of higher-than-expected hazardous materials abatement, according to the city. It was originally estimated at $2.4 million.

Demolition costs are included in the $99 million in Tidelands funding Long Beach has set aside to build a new Belmont pool.

Staff presented a plan in June for a replacement facility with an indoor Olympic-size pool with an integrated diving well, an outdoor pool and 2,500 permanent seats.

Some council members and aquatics advocates expressed a preference for a separate diving well, like at the old pool. City management has balked at the idea, saying the feature and other factors have pushed up the cost of the project from an initial estimate of $62.1 million to between $99 million and $128 million depending on the alternatives used.

The aquatics community is working with the city to save parts of the Belmont Plaza Pool, such as its dedication plaque and international flags hung around the swim area.

Other features, such as tiles from the pool and diving well, cannot be preserved because of lead and asbestos content, officials say.

Contact Eric Bradley 562-499-1254.

About the Author

Eric Bradley covers Long Beach City Hall and politics. He joined the Press-Telegram in August 2011 and previously reported for the Daily Breeze and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reach the author at eric.bradley@langnews.com
or follow Eric on Twitter: EricBradleyPT.